Modular consumer assembled stamped metal post base that allows framing before concrete is poured

ABSTRACT

A reinforced structural assembly may comprise a platform and a base. The platform may have four exterior sides. The platform may be square-shaped block and may be adapted to support at least a portion of a post on top of the platform. The base may be operably coupled to and supporting the platform and the post. The reinforced structural assembly may further include side frames that connect the exterior sides of the platform with the base.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/391017 filed on Oct. 7, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a base assembly, and more specifically relates to a modular consumer assembled stamped metal post base assembly that allows framing before concrete is poured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a reinforced structural assembly comprises a platform having four exterior sides, wherein the platform is square-shaped block and is adapted to support at least a portion of a post on top of the platform; and a base having a square-shaped frame; and side frames connected to the exterior sides of the platform with the base.

In another aspect of the present invention, a reinforced structural assembly comprises side frames having two legs; and a platform having four exterior sides, wherein the platform is square-shaped block and is adapted to support at least a portion of a post on top of the platform, the platform connects to a substantially center part of the platform

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed perspective view of side frame tabs and the bottom plate slots according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1 taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a modular consumer assembled stamped metal post base assembly that allows framing before a concrete pier is poured.

Referring now to FIG. 1, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be used to construct a reinforced structural assembly 10 that may surround a central post 46, such as a 4-inch by 4-inch, 6-inch by 6-inch, or a round post, for example. The reinforced structural assembly 10 may further include a base 40. The base 40 may be a square-shaped frame with a bottom. The central post 46 may extend upward about 10 feet, for example, above the base 40.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may comprise front and rear side frames 12. The side frames 12 may have pre-drilled holes 50, 22 for accepting temporary attachment screws 48 and reinforced bars 24, respectively. The side frames 12 may have vertical stamped ribs 16 to increase friction and reinforcement. The side frames 12 may have two legs where each of two legs has a tab 14 at bottom of the leg. The tabs 14 of the side frames 12 may be used to connect to slots 38 located in the base 40. Each of leg may have a side frame stamped return 52 for increasing reinforcement.

The reinforced structural assembly 10 may further include a platform 34. The platform 34 may be a square-shaped block with four exterior sides. The platform 34 may be used to support at least a portion of the post 46 on top of the platform 34. The platform 34 may connect to a substantially center part of the side frames 12. The platform 34 may have tabs 36 which may be used to connect to slots 20 in the side frames 12. The platform 34 may have stamped gussets 18 on the exterior sides for further reinforcement and friction. The base 40 may be operably coupled to and support the platform 34 through the side frames 12.

In operation, the tabs 14 of the side frames 12 may fit into shape specific punched slots 38 of the base 40. Then the two side frames may be folded toward each other. The platform 34 may be installed having one tab 36 on each side fit into shape specific punched slots 20 of the side frames.

Sheet metal screws 32 may be used to attach two side frames 12 to the platform 34 as shown in FIG. 4. Temporary attachment deck screws 48 may be used to attach the post 46 and the side frames 12. Bolts 30, nuts 28, and washers 26 may be further used to reinforce the post 46 to the side frames 12. The post 46 may be stood up on the platform 34. The reinforced bars 24 may be inserted in the pre-drilled holes 22 of the side frames 12. Framing for a deck may commerce allowing the post 46 and the reinforced structural assembly 10 to be adjusted during framing.

The reinforced structural assembly 10 may be made of 14 gauge galvanized sheet metal, such as aluminum or steel, for example, and may be fabricated via a stamp and die process.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used to build a deck, a barn, a shed, or a gazebo, for example, where a concrete pier is required or desired to be used to anchor or support a post or column for such a structure. Users may dig appropriate pier holes 42 in the ground as shown in FIG. 1. Then users may assemble the product and attach a post to the product. Users then move the post with the reinforced structural assembly up in the holes, and proceed with framing to the point where the structure is in place or completed. Then users may pour concrete in the pier hole up to a concrete fill line 44 as shown in FIG. 1.

By using the reinforced structural assembly while framing, the posts may be adjusted laterally in all directions for a plumb and a straight line up to the dimension of the width and length of the pier hole.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A reinforced structural assembly comprising: a platform having four exterior sides, wherein the platform is square-shaped block and is adapted to support at least a portion of a post on top of the platform; a base having a square-shaped frame ; and side frames connected the exterior sides of the platform with the base.
 2. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 1, wherein: each of side frames has two legs, wherein the two legs are adapted to connect to the base.
 3. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 2, wherein: the base is a square-shaped frame having a bottom; and the side frames connect exterior sides of the square-shaped block to a bottom of the square shaped frame.
 4. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 2, wherein the two legs of each side frame connect square corners of the base.
 5. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 1, wherein: the platform and the side frames have pre-drilled holes for accepting screws.
 6. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 1, wherein the side frames have pre-drilled holes for accepting reinforced bars.
 7. A reinforced structural assembly comprising: side frames having two legs; and a platform having four exterior sides, wherein the platform is square-shaped block and is adapted to support at least a portion of a post on top of the platform, the platform connects to a substantially center part of the side frames.
 8. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 7, wherein: two legs of the side frames have tabs, wherein the tabs are adapted to connect to pre-drilled holes of a base..
 9. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 7, wherein: the side frames have pre-drilled holes for accepting reinforced bars.
 10. The reinforced structural assembly of claim 7, wherein: the side frames have vertical stamped ribs. 